Learning lessons in wake of headstones anger

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of the East Kilbride News.

The last couple of weeks have seen us run stories from bereaved relatives unhappy at visiting the graves of loved ones at Philipshill Cemetery in East Kilbride and finding notices advising of potential safety issues.

‘Eyesore’ wooden stakes being placed at lairs have also been criticised and branded disrespectful to the dead.

On our Facebook page, we have dozens of comments from readers who believe South Lanarkshire Council’s communication could and should have been better when it came to advising that they would be carrying out inspections. It’s hard to argue. Of course, council staff have a job to do and where there are safety concerns they have a duty to act. That’s fair enough.

But would it have been better for people to know that they may be confronted with notices and wooden stakes when visiting the cemetery? Yes.

It’s clear that relatives weren’t aware and this is another example of how communication is so important when it comes to matters of a sensitive nature.

Meanwhile, you may have noticed from the front page that they are finally here – yes, we kick-off our P1 class supplements today!

See the centre of today’s paper for an eight-page special and there will be pullreceived outs every week before the kids break up for their October holiday.

We will list the schools featured on our front pages, and Facebook page, so parents will know exactly when their perfect pupil is going to appear in print.

Our photographers are continuing to get those pictures which matter so much so keep an eye on the News to make sure you don’t miss out.